Ever since the COVID lockdown ended—along with my pre-dawn power walks through the neighborhood with my flashlight—I’ve loved being back in the gym. Headphones on, music rocking, heart pounding, I move in meditation, noticing thoughts without latching onto them.

Inspiration is always available if I want it. Whether I’m pumping the elliptical, balancing on the Bosu or deadlifting dumbbells, I honor my progress and what I can do to dissolve stress, sculpt muscles and shed pounds.

A sign on a gym wall says: “We reject the notion that beauty is one size fits all.” But occasionally, I still compare myself to others: the petite mom who trains with her daughter, the tall man who climbs the Stairmaster, the marathoner with the blondish ponytail who runs for hours. Sometimes I wonder what they think about me.

When I watch ESPN or HGTV, commercials offer keto gummies that they claim will dissolve 50 pounds in 15 days. A vitamin-enriched hair-growth supplement promises new growth in 10. A green drink purports to provide all my daily nutrients.

These products might help me feel more positive about my body, yet eternal positivity about my physique, like many things in life, isn’t always easy. Sometimes, I’m not feeling it. But, as I remind myself and my congregants, I needn’t feel negative either.

Recently, I heard Cleveland Clinic psychologist Susan Albers Bowling, PsyD, offer a powerful alternative. She recommends body neutrality, “a middle-of-the-road approach” which is “neither loving nor hating your body. It’s based on the notions of acceptance and having respect for one’s body,” she says. Her wisdom rekindled memories of my youth and two strong young women that helped me appreciate this type of respect.

As a preteen, I met Susan, a style icon, at a local beach club. I thought she was the prettiest in our group. She had long, dark hair, wore fancy bikinis, walked with crutches and covered the stump of her right leg with a white sock when she swam in the ocean. Sometimes, at parties, she showed off her designer jeans and elite sneakers. One day, I saw her without crutches and shyly asked how she walked so well. She lifted her right pant leg and revealed her prosthesis, explaining that she rarely wore it because it hurt.

Susan was a kind-hearted, compassionate friend and animal rights advocate. She worked part-time as a pet sitter and wanted to be a veterinarian. She lived the principle, “Pretty is as pretty does,” reminding me that style has little to do with one’s body and everything to do with one’s spirit.

As a teenager, a few years later, I babysat for Lauren, who lived her whole life in a wheelchair. She was the most gifted child I had ever met, and we bonded so deeply that I attended the Easter Seals telethon with her and her family when she was Child of the Year.

Lauren, who eventually died from the wasting syndrome she was born with, knew she wouldn’t have a long lifespan. But she savored every moment she had, living in the now much better than I did, telling jokes that often sent her brothers and me into fits of hilarity. In grade school, she loved reading and studying advanced mathematics. She helped me avoid judging others because she never judged me, even when I struggled to lift her onto the toilet or when I needed her assistance with my algebra homework.

Neither Susan nor Lauren ever talked about hating their bodies. They maintained a positive outlook and celebrated themselves, even though their physical appearance didn’t fit some societal standards. They respected what their bodies could do and lived fully with confidence, faith and joy.

I believe my body is a sacred temple, but it isn’t all that defines me. For me, fitness is an investment in my self-care and well-being, a way to nurture my creativity and soothe my soul. I might not wear the hippest leggings or spin like a pro, but I bless my body daily. And I’m always grateful for the youthful role models who showed me how strong one’s spirit can be. ❧

---

Senior minister of Unity Atlanta Church in Peachtree Corners, Rev. Jennifer Sacks is a preacher, writer and spiritual leader. She holds a Master of Divinity from Unity Institute & Seminary. Learn more and connect with her at RevJenn.com.